Job summary
The Band 6 Complex Discharge Therapist will provide specialist Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy assessment, treatment and discharge planning for patients with complex clinical, functional and social needs across inpatient services. This is the second year of receiving winter funding for the complex discharge therapy team, this year we will be approaching this as a UHN Therapies model, adding resilience and expertise across both NGH and KGH. Whilst NGH will be your primary site there may be occasions where you are required to work at KGH.

The post holder will work as part of a roaming therapy team providing expertise and assessment to the daily Discharge Hub, escalation areas and medically fit wards where therapy needs are impacting discharge. They will support timely, safe and effective discharge planning by identifying barriers to discharge, undertaking comprehensive assessments and working collaboratively with patients, carers, ward teams and external agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Main duties of the job
Working autonomously within their professional scope of practice, the post holder will manage a complex caseload, undertaking detailed assessments, applying advanced clinical reasoning and developing individualised treatment and discharge plans. They will contribute to positive risk management discussions and provide expert advice to support decision making within multidisciplinary teams.

The post holder will work closely with ward-based therapists to provide joint assessments, support complex cases and promote effective use of therapy resources across the organisation. They will provide clinical support, supervision and teaching to Band 5 therapists, therapy support workers and students, contributing to workforce development and the delivery of high-quality therapy services.

The role includes participation in seven-day services and, where appropriate, professional on-call rotas. The post holder will contribute to service development, audit, quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives, acting as a role model for professional standards, patient-centred care and collaborative working across UHN.

The post holder will deputise for the lead therapist for day to day operational management tasks as required.

About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Details
Date posted: 11 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year
Per annum / pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 4 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 265-8270776=CSS
Job locations: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To work closely with ward based therapists to provide joint therapies assessments and treatment plans enabling efficient use of Therapies Team resources.
To manage a caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service, working without direct supervision, managing attendance of board rounds and ward meetings to contribute significantly to patient flow when ward based.
To pro-actively contribute to the timely and efficient discharge planning process for patients by selecting and implementing appropriate assessments and interventions, promoting a joint therapies approach with Physiotherapy colleagues.
To be highly skilled in identifying pathways of patient care and to have awareness of discharge plans and suitable discharge locations.
Provide clinical support and access to advice and supervision for junior staff
Day to day management and supervision of ward/ therapy teams including Band 5 therapists and band 3 therapy support workers as well as students.
To constantly improve clinical and professional practice and performance within the therapy services
To act as a source of expertise, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skill in the role and educate other healthcare professionals as to the therapy role.
Support to band 7 and 8 Therapy colleagues in the day-to-day running of the acute team including staff appraisals, clinical projects, benchmarking, teaching and service evaluation.
Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice.

Supporting Clinical and Patient Excellence

• To work autonomously within departmental clinical teams to provide excellent Occupational therapy/Physiotherapy assessment and treatment to a diverse client group
• Manage a caseload independently on designated ward/s, supporting junior staff with their caseload management
• To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentation/multiple pathologies/cognitive impairment/mental health problems; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques
• Assess patients functional abilities and make recommendations for equipment, adaptations, ongoing rehabilitation and care provision as appropriate and necessary for a safe discharge from the service
• Formulate and deliver a complete specialised Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy treatment programme based on sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options
• Ensure that all patients have a documented problem list and goals that the patient has been involved in creating
• To participate in 7-day working patterns, including Bank Holidays
• To be an active member of the respiratory on call overnight and weekend rota (PT)
• Work to identified guidelines and eligibility criteria relating to the provision of home adaptations, equipment and wheelchairs to ensure equity of service to all patients (OT)
• Carry out assessments within patients homes as appropriate within departmental guidelines (OT)
• Represent the Therapy service and/or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings. This will include discussion of patient care, progress and involvement in discharge planning
• Support junior members of staff to develop the skills required affectively attend and contribute to MDT meetings and board rounds
• Use clinical reasoning to balance risk, safety, patient choice and eligibility for services
• To increase and expand knowledge base and experience, clinically and non-clinically
• Communicate effectively with patients, their families, carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team, Therapy colleagues and other agencies
• Provide support to patients and carers, sharing information to enable them to make informed decisions regarding Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy recommendations and discharge arrangements
• Advise patients and carers, through demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patients functional ability, safety and independence
• Liaise with health and social care professionals and other related statutory, private and voluntary organisations, providing verbal and written reports and referrals where appropriate, in accordance with data protection principles
• Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs
• Lead on appropriate service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions
• Propose changes to processes and procedures carried out within the Therapy Service to improve effectiveness and efficiency
• Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance
• Submit accurate timesheets within set department timescales for additional hours worked
• In the absence of Therapy colleagues through planned or unplanned leave, work flexibly to meet the prioritised needs of the Therapy service both within the specific clinical areas and across all service areas
• Comply with departmental guidelines for the safe use, care and maintenance of equipment and stock
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to colleagues, relatives and carers when appropriate to promote understanding of the aims of therapy
• Delegate work tasks appropriately to junior Therapy staff and Administrative Support staff
• Take the lead in training and education of other staff and students within the Therapy services
• Where appropriate, take the lead in the induction of new staff
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements
• Provide formal clinical reports for the multi-disciplinary team as required
• Collect, record and submit accurate clinical and personal statistical data in line with departmental requirements and guidelines
• Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills to ensure fitness to practice as an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist, in line with HCPC standards
• When required, take the lead in delivering of Inservice training
• Regularly attend and participate in Therapy service staff meetings
• Identify own learning and development needs which will contribute to the production of a Personal Development Plan
• Build an ongoing Continuing Professional Development portfolio, reflecting on and recording learning outcomes of development opportunities
• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy research and apply this to practice in conjunction with the Therapy team
• Contribute to audit and research activity within the Therapy Service as appropriate
• Comply with the College of Occupational Therapists/Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and the Health Professional Council Standards of Conduct, Performance & Ethics, national and Trust policy, protocols and guidelines
• Review and reflect on own practice and actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals

Corporate Responsibilities

• Build safe working knowledge of all equipment used to provide safe patient care and participate in maintenance and training

People / Management Excellence

• To deputise for band 7s as necessary to ensure smooth running of service.
• To work alongside band 7s to co-ordinate annual leave cover
• To be involved in band 5 and support worker appraisals and reviews
• To provide clinical and non-clinical supervision to Band 5 and Support worker staff
• To support the probation process for new starters
• To conduct return to work sickness absence meetings in line with Trust policy in the absence of a Band 7

Supporting Financial Excellence

• To make best use of NHS resources

Professional Responsibilities, Quality Assurance and Monitoring

• To work within Trust Core Competencies and objectives, RCOT/CSP guidelines, HCPC standards and code of conduct and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and policies
• Complete all work necessary to maintain registration and encourage others to do so
• Monitor own and others quality and standard of practice by appraisal and review
• Maintain and monitor standards on health and safety, consent, note keeping, clinical governance, continuous professional development on both a personal, professional and departmental level
• To supervise and teach students on placement

Policy and Service Development, Research and Development Responsibilities
To use information such as Clinical governance, NICE, and other clinical specific guidelines and evidence of best practice to assist in producing working guidelines, competencies and objectives to develop the service

Person Specification
Skills
Essential

• Able to assess a patient's needs and plan a treatment plan with short and long term goals.
• Able to support and teach Technical instructors and band 5 staff.
• Able to manage caseload autonomously.
• Physical effort e.g. moving patients.
• Emotional effort e.g. distressing or traumatic circumstances.
• Experience of interpersonal working.
• Good written and verbal communication .
• Able to modify and progress patient treatment.
• Able to maintain high standards of note keeping.
• Able to delegate effectively.

Desirable

• Teaching and presentation skills.
• Ability to access Department of Health and National Institute of Clinical Excellence information using the internet.
• Health and safety awareness.

Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Completion of at least 4 of the core band 5 rotations e.g. orthopaedics, surgical, medical, care of the elderly, respiratory and stroke unit.
• Current band 5 experience within an acute hospital setting.
• Participation in work based learning.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• Evidence of knowledge and understanding of the Clinical Quality Care standards.
• Experience of working in the NHS.
• Knowledge of discharge pathways
• Experience in treating patients with complex discharge needs

Desirable

• Experience of leading work based learning.
• Experience and knowledge of Clinical Governance.

Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential

• BSc Honours or equivalent in Physiotherapy.
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Northampton General Hospital
Address: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Deputy Head of Therapies
Tarryn Goode
t.goode@nhs.net
01604544427

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.